Heating device



- Nov. 27, 1.928.

R. ROCHESTER, JR

HEATING DEVICE Filed June 24, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 27, 1928. Y 1,693,182

R. ROCHESTER, JR

HEATING DEVICE Filed June 24, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet u 2 1I ,111 I "llllllill,"

2 d :si.iszszx E .n Efhf M /V j Patented Nov." 27, 1,9228..y i

, t UNITED STATES PATENT/OFFICE.a'

RICHMOND `nooiiiis'iiiiii,t in or CHICAGO, iiiLiivois, Assienon ro AUTOMATIC ELEC- 'mic Bonnin co., or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A yconronArioiv or DELAWARE.

HEATING DEVICE.

yApplication ylredI une 24,

" 7 My invention `relates to heating` devices and particularly to devices for providing a supply of hot water. 't v `l A particular object of thc invention is to provide improved devices of the kind de.- scribed for' supplying hot Water to the faucets in a dwelling, `factory orthe like.

Another particular objectief is to provide an improved device of the kind described, which is 'substantially automatic kin its operation. y j y Still another particular object yof the invciitionis to provide improved means whereby an electrical current may be eiiiciently einployedtoheataliquid. f j Y' Many other objects andfadvantages of the construction herein shownaiid described will be obvious to those skilled'in the yart from the disclosure lierein'given. 'j y p l To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and conibination oiparts herein'showii-` and described, vand more-particularly pointed out in the claims. 2f t y In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like `or ycorrespending parte.:

Fig. 1

` hodying the invention,

is a side elevation of a'device einwater tank of the kind commonly employed in dwellings or the like; f f

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section taken through the improved heating unit;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 33 of Fig.2; f f

y ,i Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a pair of elcctrodes forming part of the improved heating Fig. 5 is a. section taken'on line-- 'of Fig.

k2: and

f Fig. G is an end'view of a split band torniing part of my improved heating device. f Referring to Fig. 1. ior the present, the ref# .45 eren/ce character l() designatesa hot water tank oit the ytype commonly :employed in dwellings, *factories kor the like for holding a supply othot Water. In line with the usual practice the tank-"10 is" mount-ed upon a' 7 pedestal 1.1` and is connected toa city'water niajii by means comprising a pipe 12, which communicates with a pipe l3projecting into the tank. As well known to `thoseskilled in the'invention my improved heating j 3g unit being' shown in connection with a hot 192s. seriai No.r 118,287.

positioiiedat yany convenient point. The ar` rrangement is such that when hot water is withdrawn from the tank l0, it -is immediatelly replaced by cold water flowing from the city water main. In Fig. l, the reference characterl desigiiatcsa pipe communicating with the upper end of the tank 10 and adapted to deliver heated water from the tank l0 to faucets or the like spaced therefrom.

My improved heating `unit 'is designated generally bythe reference character 17 and is positioned adjacent the tank 10. As best shown in Fig. 2, the heating unit 17 coinprise's a receptacle 18 which is, in tliis'instance, oit substantially cylindrical form and isrprovided on its outer surface with a layer 19 of heat insulating material, such as asbestos. ,'.llielower end of the receptacle 18 is closed by a bottoni wall 2O from which a valve fitting 22 projects, theivalve fitting 22 providing means whereby the receptacleinay be drained. The upper end ofthe receptacle is preferably closed by ka plate 23 which is secured to the receptacleby bolts 25'or`the equivalent. It desired, packing 26 may be provided between therece'ptacle and the cover plate23`. Disposed above the receptacle 18 and spacedv therefrom is a tank 28 comprising a cylindrical side wall 29 and a bottoni k wall 30. The upper end of the tank 28 is preferably closed by a loosely` fitting cover 32. The i'neans'or supporting the tank 28 above the receptacle l18 .preferably comprises tubes or pipes 34 and 35 `whichy are secured to the ,cover plate 23 by nuts 37 and are se cured to the bottoni plate 30 by nuts 38, the' nuts 37y and 38being screw-threaded kupon the pipes 34 and "It will benoted that the upper 'end of thepipe 34 opensinto lthe iowerv end of the tank 28 and that the lower end of the pipe 34 opens into the receptacle 1.8

vin relatively close proximity toits bottom wall 20. The pipe 35 projects a relatively sinail distance into the receptacle 18 and coininunicates therewith. The upper endjot the pipe 35 projects through the cov'eiplate 32 i and communicates with an air valve 40, the pipe' being connected to the air valve by means comprising a pipe coupling Lil. and a nipple42. yThe air valve 40`inay be of any `ing material, such as noted that the upper and loiverzends of the coil suitable construction but in this instance comprises a casing 43 having a chamber lll formed therein, Which chamber communicates with the pipe 35 through ports 46 formed in the casing. The chamber la may communicate with the atmosphere through a port 4S provided in itsupper end but the flow of air through this port 48 is controlled by avalve 49 formed upon a post 5() mountedin the chamber ll. The post 50 is formed of material which is readily affected bv temperature changes Within the chamber del, the construction being such that vrhen steam enters the chamber the post 504 expands and brings the valve l) intoa position wherein it coses the port 48. lVhen the steam condenses and returns to thev pipe by Way of the ports #16, the post contracts and permits air to enter the chamber 4l through the port 48.

. The space between the receptacle lSand the tank 28 is preferably closed by aA split band 55, Which is clamped around the lower end of 'the cylindrical Wall Q9 by bolts 56 or the equivalent. it rWill be noted that the band extends from the upper surface of the cover plate 23 to the bottom Wall 30 of the tank 28. The tank 28 and the split band 55 are preferably covered with a layer 58 of any suitable heat insulating material, such as asbestos.

.Disposed Within the receptacle 1S is a helical coil 60, one end of which `coil projects through the bottom Wall 2O of the receptacle and is coupled to a pipe G2 by means coinprising an elbow 63. The pipe G2 is connected to a T fitting Ga which comnjiunicates With the interior of the tank l0. Obviously, Water may How from the tank l0 into the T fitting 64 and thence through the pipe 62 to the coil 60. A pipe 6G screw-threaded into the T fitting 64 and aV faucet- 67 screwthreaded upon the pipe 66` provide means whereby the tank may be. drained.

The upper end of the coil 50 projects through the cover plate 23and connected to a pipe 70 byan elbow fitting 7l, which is adapted to deliver Water obtained from the coil to the aforementioned pipe 45. is

shown, the pipe is preferably provided with a jacket 'Tet of any suitable heat insulatasbestos. It Will be 60 are provided with flanges 60b and are screvvthreaded toaccommodate nuts (it)a ivhereby the coil is rigidly secured to the cover plate 23 and the bottom plate 20. Obviously, this construction permits the heating unit to be suspended from the tank l0.

Mounted upon they cover plate 23 and projecting into the receptacle 1S are electrical terminals 76 and 77. Each electrical terminal comprises an electrode .79 screw-threaded upon the loiver end of a vertically disposed post SO which projects through the cover plate Q3 and is positioned in a sleeve 8l formed of any suitable electrical insulation such as porcelain or the equivalent. The

`sleeve 8l projects through one of a plurality of apertures 82 provided in the cover plate and is provided vvith collars Sel and 85 at its upper and lower ends, respectively, the collars Seland 85 beingfpreferably formed of porcelain or the equivalent. lnterposed betvveen the cover plate 23 and the collars 8l and 85 are Washers or gaskets 86 of asbestos or the equivalent. At the upper and lower ends of the sleeve 81 l preferably provide similar gasketsv 87 and 8S, respectively. Positioned upon the upper end of the rod 80 is a. metallic washer 90 and screw-threaded upon the upper end of the rod are a plurality of nuts 9i which are adapted to secure an electrical conductor to the rod.

The electrodes 79 may be formed of any suitable material but are preferably cast from metal and are preferably U-shaped in cross section at their lower ends. Means provided for spacing' the lower ends 'of the electrodes, this means preferably comprising a glass or porcelain rod `Sl-l, accommodated in aligned apertures provided in thel electrodes. Mounted upon the rod 94 are a plu .rality of spools 9G preferably formed of porcelain, the spools being mounted. upon the rod 94rin such manner that they accurately space the lovfer ends of the electrodes. Longitudinal displacement of the rod 9st is prevented by kmeans of WiresQS or the equivalent twisted around the ends of the rod.

The operation of the above described apparatus is substantially as follov.' irssuming that. the apparatus has not been in operation for some time and that it is operativelyconnected to a Water main, or the equivalent, in

such manner that the tank l0 is tilled with Water and that there is suflicient water in the receptacle i8v to completely till it, it is obvious that if the electrical teri'ninals 7G and 7T are operatively connected to a` source (not shown) of electrical energy, a current will flow through the Water betvveen the electrodes and vaporize a` portion thereof. For convenience, l preferably mount a switch 99 upon the split band 55, which switch may be employed to operatively connect the electrical terminals to the source of electrical energy. The vapor produced between the electrodes T9 causes a rise of pressure Within the receptacle 18 and .water passes from the receptacle up throught-lie tube 231i into the tank QS. the head of Water thus created being equal to the pressure produced Within the receptacle. Of course, vapor tends to :llov: out of the system by Way of the tube 35 and the air valve 40, but, set forth above. `the postvv 50 immediately expands and closes the port 48 in the valve. The heat which results from the passing of the electrical currentl through the Water in the receptacle 1S is utilized to heat the Water in the coilfGO whereupon a thermo- Siphon action takes place and water circun llatesthrough the coil and the tank 10. This kwater passes `up through the pipe 70 into the distributing pipe 15 and thence down through ythe tank intov the pipe 62 `which returns'it .to the lower end of the coil. In the event that water is withdrawn from the tank 10 by way of the pipe 15, itis obvious that the heated water flowing from the coil 60 will pass through the pipe 15.y

directly out of the systemthrough the pipe 15 without first passing into the tank 10. This lis advantageous as itiobviates the necessity of heatingfa relatively large quantity of water from the system before .it canbe Yobtained f Thel apparatusis substantially vautomaticl 'inl its operationas the pressure produced ywithin the receptacle 18 causes the level ont v water therein to" fall untilfa point of equilib trium is' reached'wherein thecurrent passing :between the electrodes y7 9 generates an amount of heat which is substantially equal to the amount of heat dissipated by the system. "Infan installation embodyingthe invention, I haveobtained satisfactory results and have found that the water in the tank 1() rremains kat substantially 190or F., but, of

l course, the 'design of the apparatus may be varied to obtain the results desired. lf water i is withdrawn from the tank 1() by way of the pipe 15, coldwaterwill flow'through the pipe GO and there will be a more rapid exchange of `heatbetween the water and vapor in the receptacle-and the water in the coil. This will cause ai lowering of the pressure in the receptacle and the water therein will 'rise so that a larger current of electricity will iow between the electrodes to produce agreaterI 'l 'amount of heat. Then," after the water in the tank 10 has again reached` the desired temperature, the water ywithin the receptacle 18 will have been lowered to establishthe point j o equilibrium mentionedabove.

vThe provision of the air Valve 140 is'adyvantageous as it facilitates filling the receptacle 18 with water, the receptacle k18 being filled through the tank 28; When the receptacle is to be filled with water, the cover 32 y'is lifted suiiiciently tofpermit water to be poured into the tank 28. i Thiswater enters they receptaclefby way of the tube 34, lthe air #fin they receptacley being. driven upward i through the pipe 3 5 and throughthe port 48 provided in Vthe airvvalvei v4If,`how ever, the' system has been in use forsome timeandthe r electrodes are disconnected from `the source v of electrical energy, thewater within the'sysi temwill cool, and ifa sufficient amount of y water has been evaporated from the recep! tacle 18to'create' a partial vacuum therein,

this partial vacuum will be relieved by air which enters the receptacle by way ofthe port 48 in the valve.

Having kthus described my invention, it is kobvious that various immaterial modiicaj tions may be madein thesame without dewater may be heated through an exchange of heat with the water in the receptacle, said 'tubular means being sealed Jfrom communication with the interior ci the receptacle, and means connecting said tubular means with the tank to obtain a circulation oi' water therethrough by a thermo-Siphon action.

' 2. The combination wit-ha hot water tank;

'ot a receptacle for holding water, spaced electrodes projecting into the receptacle and ai ranged so that an electrical current .maviiow i therebetween through the' water, tubular means disposed in the receptacle whereby water may beheatedthrough an exchange of heat with the water in the receptacle, said tubular means being sealed from communication with the interior of the receptacle,

ymeans connecting said tubular means with the tank to obtain a circulation ot water therethroughby athermo-siphon action, an expansion tank, and means for operatively connecting the receptacle to the yexpansion 7 tank.

The combination with a hot Water tank,

of a receptacle for holding water, spaced electrodes projecting vinto the vreceptacle and arranged so that an electrical: current may flow therebetween through the water, tubular means disposed in. the kreceptacle whereby water maybe heated through an exchange of heat'with the water in the receptacle, said tubular means being sealed from coininunica tion with the interior of the receptaclanieans connecting said tubular means with'the tank -lto obtain a circulation of water therethrough by a thermo-siphon action, an expansion tank, meansfor operatively connecting the rece*l tacle to the expansion tank, and Ameans for controlling the How oi air into and out of the receptacle.` f f 4. The combinationy with a hot water tank, of a receptacle for holding water, spaced electrodes projecting into the receptacle and 'arranged vso that an electrical current may flow therebetween through the water, tubular means'y disposed in the receptacle whereby water may be heated through an exchange of heat with the water in the receptacle, said tubular ,means beingsealed from communica-y tion withthe interior of the receptacle, means connectingI said tubular rmeans with the tank to obtain a circulation of water therethrough by a thermo-Siphonaction, an expansion tank, and an air valve toricontrolling theflow of air-into and out ot the receptacle.

5. in electrically operated water heater comprising a-receptacle ior holding water, spaced electrodes projecting into the receptacle and arranged so that an electrical current may tlow therebetween through the water, tubular means disposed inthe receptacle whereby water may be heated through an exchange of heat :with the water in the receptacle, said: tubular means being sealedA from communication with the interior of the receptacle and being proif'ided'with an intake opening and a discharge opening, means for receiving water driven from the receptacle by a rise ot pressure therein, and `means for controlling the flow of airinto and kout of said Y receptacle.

ti. An electricallyY operated water heater comprisinga receptacle torv holding water, spaced electrodes projectinginto the recep-y tacle and arranged so that an electrical current may ilow therebetween through the water, tubular means disposed inthe receptacle whereby water may-'be heated through anexchange of heat with the water in the receptacle, said tubular means being sealed fromcommunication vwith the interior of the receptacle and being provided with an intake opening and a discharge opening, means tor receiving water driven from the receptacle by a rise ot pressure therein, and an air valve for controlling the flow or air into andoutV of said receptacle.

7. An electrically operated water heater comprising a receptacle for holding water, spaced electrodes projecting downwardly into ,the receptacle and arranged so that an electrical current may flowtherebetween through the water, a coiled tube disposed inthe receptacle and having lits ends projecting through the wall thereof, means for receiving water discharged from the receptacle kby a rise ot pressure therein, and means `for controlling .the flow of air into and out of the receptacle.

8. in elect 1ically operated heating device comprising a receptacle for holding water, spaced electrodes projecting into the receptacle and arranged so that an electrical cur-Y rent may flow therebetween through the:

vater7 means for receiving water discharged from the receptacle by a rise ot pressure therein` and means for automatically controlling ythe flow ot air into and out of said receptacle.

9. An electrically operated heating device, comprising a receptacle for holding water, electrodes projecting into the receptacle, an expansion tank disposed above the receptacle, a tube extending from the upper portion of the receptacle throughthe expansion tank whereby air may flow into and out of said receptacle, an airvalve tor` controlling the llow of air through said tube, means carried electrodes projectingintothe receptacle, an

,expansion` tank disposed above the receptacle, a tube extending from the upper portion ot' `the receptacle through the expansion tank whereby air mayvfiow. into and ont ofv said receptacle, an air valve for controlling the iiow of air through said tube, meanscarried by the tube tor holding the receptacle and the expansion tank in spaced relation, a second tube extending between the receptacle and the expansion-tank and communicating with. each ot' them, andtubular meansdisposed in Said receptacle whereby. water may be heated through an exchange ofA heat with ,-thewater inthe receptacle, said tubular means being scaled troni communication with theinterior of the receptacle' and being provided with a discharge opening and 4,an intake opening outsde oi'the receptacle.

ll. The combination with a tank for holding liquid, of a receptacle ,for holdingwater, spaced electrodes projecting into the recep- `tacle and arranged so that an electrical current may k'flow .therebetween through the water, tubular means disposed inthe receptacle whereby liquid may be-heated through an exchange of heat with the water inthe receptacle, Vsaid tubular means being sealed j trom communication with the interior of the j receptacle, means for receiving water discharged trom the receptacle by a rise of pressure therein, and meansr connecting said tnbular means with the tank to obtain a circulation ovliquid therethrough by a thermo- Siphon action.

- 1:2.` In an electrically operated water-heater comprising a heat insulating casing, the combination et a receptacle disposed within said casing for holding water, spaced electrodes projecting downwardly into `the receptacle and arranged so that an electric current may flow therebetween through the water, means for suspending said electrodes into said receptacle, means associated withsaid last-named means for conducting air into and out of said receptacle and controlling the flow thereof, a coiled tube disposed in the receptacle and having its ends projecting through the wall thereof, and means within said casing for. receiving waterdischarged from thereceptacle by a rise oli-pressure therein.

13. An electrically operated water heater comprising a receptacle for holding water, spaced electrodes projecting downwardly into the receptacle and arranged `so that an electric current Amay ilow therebetween through the water. a coiled tube disposed in the receptacle and having its ends projecting through the Wall thereof, 'means for receiving Water discharged romjthe receptacle by a rise of pressure therein, and heat actuated: means for controlling the iovv of air into and bination of a receptacle disposed Within said 15 named means casing for holding Water, spaced .electrodes projecting downwardly into the receptacle and arranged so that an electric current may ow therebetween through the Water, means for suspending said electrodes into said reeeptacle, means associated with said lastfor conducting air into andout rof said receptacle, heat actuated means for controlling the lilovv of air into and out of said receptacle, a coiled tube disposed in the receptacle and having its ends projecting through the Wall thereof, a second receptacle disposed Within said casing above said firstmentioned receptacle for receiving Water discharged iromsaid first receptacle by a rise of pressure therein, andl means for conducting Water from said first receptacle to the second receptacle. v

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

` RICHMOND ROCHESTER, J R. 

